Portugal captain Cristiano Ronaldo has praised Nigeria’s Super Eagles following their impressive performance in Wednesday’s international friendly clash in Leiria.
The Portuguese legend made the remarks after leading his side to a hard-fought 2-1 victory over the three-time African champions.
Despite ending on the losing side, Nigeria earned plaudits for their spirited display against the UEFA Nations League champions, with Ronaldo admitting that the Super Eagles proved to be one of the toughest opponents Portugal have faced in recent times.
“This is one of the toughest games I’ve had with the national team in a very long time. Nigeria is a talented team and will be a force in the 2030 World Cup,” Ronaldo said after the encounter.
The Super Eagles pushed Portugal throughout the contest and created several problems for the hosts, with their performance drawing admiration from fans and football pundits alike.
Ronaldo’s comments will serve as a major boost for Nigeria as the team continues its rebuilding process with an eye on future international competitions, including the 2030 FIFA World Cup.
